BRIDPORT RESERVES 3

CORFE CASTLE 2

BRIDPORT Reserves reached the Dorset & Somerset Air Ambulance Senior Trophy semi-finals with a 3-2 win over Corfe Castle at St Mary’s Field.

Bridport recovered from a poor start to the game when Josh Hunter netted after 25 minutes, only to be flagged offside.

However, Kriss Radivojsa’s perfect pass just minutes later allowed Robin Jones into the box to score Bridport’s first goal and the Bees went in 1-0 up at half-time.

Bridport came out firing straight after the break with Corfe goalkeeper Jakub Lewiarz performing heroics until Will Gape eventually slid home Bridport’s second goal.

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Corfe then punished sloppy play from the Bees and scored against the run of play for 2-1.

On came James Cox for Bridport and from the position of wing-back he changed the game, cutting through Corfe’s midfield and continuing with attacks down the left plus crosses and shots at goal.

He finally connected with a bullet header to make it 3-1 and the game looked safe. However, Corfe came back yet again and, after a couple of saves from Jordon Scadding, Ryan Cattano finally got the ball over the the line to set up a nervy last 10 minutes at 3-2.

Scadding made a superb save with the ball heading towards the top-right corner with five minutes to go but Bridport held off the nerves to progress to the last four, where Dorchester Sports, Sturminster Newton or Merley Cobham Sports await.

Speaking to the Bridport News, reserve-team boss Chris Herbst said: “It’s a good result, it wasn’t a good performance.

“The first half an hour we just didn’t play good football and it then clicked into gear. We did have chances and we got quite a good goal with Robin.

“We went 2-0 up, it wasn’t a good performance but it’s a cup match and the result is the main outcome.

“I was very annoyed but it’s hard to put my finger on it. We just didn’t get going and then we played some really good stuff, so it’s just about clicking at the right times.”

Asked how far he feels Bridport could go in the competition, Herbst said: “There’s no reason we can’t get to the final, we’ve got to believe that.

“We’re in the other semi-final for the league cup as well. We’ve got to believe.

“When you get there, obviously anything can happen in the final.”

Bridport Reserves visit Blandford United in the Jewson Dorset Premier League on Saturday (2pm).

Herbst said: “I’d like to think we can get a result – I’d back us against anyone.

“If we turn up and play the way we should play, and we know we can, there’s no reason why we can’t get a result anywhere.”

Bees: Jo Scadding, Ja Scadding (Cox 46), Adler, Day, Baker, Gall, Gape, Ward (Etherington 75), Jones, Radivojsa, Hunter (Brook 70).